Phosphine‐Catalyzed [3+2] and [4+3] Annulation Reactions of C,N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Allenoates

Phosphine‐catalyzed [3+2] and [4+3] annulation reactions of C,N‐cyclic azomethine imines with allenoates have been developed to give a variety of pharmaceutically attractive tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The two distinct reaction pathways, [3+2] and [4+3] cyclization, depend on the nature of the nucleophilic phosphine and the allenoate. Generally, for α‐alkylallenoates, the reactions always proceed with [3+2] cyclization as the major pathway no matter what phosphine was used; for α‐ArCH₂‐substituted allenoates, the reaction pathway was controlled by the phosphine catalyst used.     

Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar [3+4] Cycloaddition and Kinetic Resolution of Azomethine Imines with Azoalkenes

An unprecedented copper(II)‐catalyzed enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar [3+4] cycloaddition of azomethine imines with in situ formed azoalkenes has been realized. This strategy provides a facile access to biologically important 1,2,4,5‐tetrazepine derivatives in high yield with exclusive regioselectivity and high stereoselectivity. Moreover, enantioenriched azomethine imines could be obtained via an efficient kinetic resolution using the same approach.

     

Organocatalytic and Stereoselective [3 + 2] Cycloadditions of Azomethine Imines with α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Bipyrazolidin‐3‐one derivatives are biologically significant compounds and their importance has increased in the past decades. In this paper, the first stereoselective [3 + 2] dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine imines with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by readily available α,α‐diarylprolinol salts are reported, providing a facile route to the synthesis of various chiral bipyrazolidin‐3‐one derivatives under mild conditions. The organocatalyst 1 g with strongly electron‐withdrawing groups exhibited the best stereoselectivity (exo:endo up to 98:2, for exo product up to 97 % ee), in the combination with trifluoroacetic acid.     

Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed [3+4] Annulation of 2‐(Heteroaryl)‐ cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylates with Cyclopentadiene

A novel Lewis acid‐catalyzed [3+4] annulation of 2‐(heteroaryl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylates with cyclopentadiene is reported. This reaction proceeds via an electrophilic attack of the Lewis acid‐activated donor‐acceptor cyclopropane onto cyclopentadiene followed by Friedel–Crafts intramolecular alkylation of the heteroarene substituent. This is the first general example of reactions of donor‐acceptor cyclopropanes wherein the donor substituent serves as a nucleophile. The described annulation represents a convenient approach to bicyclo[3.2.1]octa‐2,6‐dienes with heteroarenes annulated to C(2)‐C(3) bond. Its efficiency was demonstrated for a series of furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, and indolyl substituted cyclopropanes. Additionally, in the case of 2‐(5‐methyl‐2‐furyl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐diester we observed the predominant formation of product of the [3+4] annulation or the tetracyclic 5,8‐methanocyclopenta[a]azulene derivative, depending on the reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Methyl Ketoimine

Herein, we disclose the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed [3+3] annulation of challenging esters with methyl ketoimines for the highly enantioselective synthesis of intriguing δ‐lactams featuring various substituent patterns. The annulation occurs under mild conditions and offers good tolerance, good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The six‐membered heterocyclic products are valuable for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

     

Chiral Phosphine‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2] Annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Carbonates with Cyclic 1‐Azadienes: Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopentenes

With the use of a bifunctional chiral phosphine as the catalyst, the asymmetric [3+2] annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with cyclic 1‐azadienes proceeded smoothly under mild conditions to give various enantiomerically enriched cyclopentene derivatives bearing three consecutive tertiary stereocenters and a sulfamate moiety in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities and excellent diastereoselectivities.

     

Chemoselective Cascade Synthesis of N‐Fused Heterocycles via Silver(I) Triflate‐Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts/N‐C Bond Formation Sequence

An efficient cascade methodology toward chemoselective synthesis of N‐fused heterocycles including 9H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole, 3H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole and 1H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole derivatives has been developed. This transformation proceeds via a silver(I) triflate‐catalyzed consecutive Friedel–Crafts reaction/N C bond formation sequence between readily available propargyl alcohols and 3‐substituted 1H‐indoles. Not only is excellent chemoselectivity observed according to the substitution patterns of propargyl alcohols, but also the Lewis acid‐catalyzed N C bond formation process can be carried out under base‐ and ligand‐free conditions.     

Asymmetric Construction of Highly Functionalized Spirobarbiturate‐Cyclopentenes through Chiral Phosphine‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Carbonates with Barbiturate‐Derived Alkenes

A multifunctional chiral phosphine‐catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with barbiturate‐derived alkenes has been achieved under mild conditions, providing a variety of chiral spirobarbiturate‐cyclopentenes in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities.

     

Gold‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Bicyclo[3.2.0]heptenes via a Formal [3+2]/[2+2]‐Annulation of Allylsilane with 4‐Methoxybut‐2‐yn‐1‐ols

This work reports the novel gold‐catalyzed [3+2]/[2+2]‐annulation of allylsilane with 4‐methoxybut‐2‐yn‐1‐ols that yields highly strained bicyclo[3.2.0]heptene products efficiently and stereoselectively.     

Gold‐Catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig Selective Cyclizations of Alkynyl Silyl Enol Ethers: Efficient Method for [3+2] and [4+2] Annulations onto α,β‐Enones

An efficient method for the annulation of five‐ and six‐membered rings onto α,β‐enones is described via gold‐catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig selective cyclizations of alkynyl silyl enol ethers.     

Stereocontrolled [4+1] Annulation of α‐Hydroxycyclobutenones: Synthesis of Polysubstituted Cyclopentenones

A stereocontrolled [4+1] annulation of α‐hydroxycyclobutenones has been disclosed. For the first time, α‐hydroxycyclobutenones have been proven as facile diene precursors for [4+1] annulation. Meanwhile, the reported transformation presents a concise synthetic route to polysubstituted cyclopentenones with high stereoselectivity.

     

Formal [3+2] Annulation Involving Allylic Bromides and Thioureas. Synthesis of 2‐Iminothiazolidines through a Base‐Catalyzed Intramolecular anti‐Michael Addition

A simple and efficient protocol was developed for the synthesis of 2‐iminothiazolidines through a base‐mediated [3+2] annulation involving substituted thioureas and allylic bromides bearing electron‐withdrawing groups. This domino process consists of nucleophilic displacement, followed by intramolecular anti‐Michael addition of the preformed allylic isothiourea under mild conditions to give the thiazolidine core.

     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Annulation of Vinyl Ketones with Oxindole‐Derived α,β‐Unsaturated Imines: Enantioselective Syntheses of 2′,3′‐Dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones

A novel asymmetric [4+2] annulation of vinyl ketones with oxindole‐derived α,β‐unsaturated imines has been developed in the presence of a multifunctional thiourea‐phosphine catalyst derived from a natural amino acid, providing the first phosphine‐catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 2′,3′‐dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Annulation of 3‐[2‐(2‐Iodobenzylamino)aryl]‐N‐arylpropiolamides: Synthesis of 3‐[5H‐Dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones

A novel palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular tandem annulation method is presented for the synthesis of 3‐[5H‐dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones. This method allows the conversion of various 3‐[2‐(2‐iodobenzylamino)aryl]‐N‐arylpropiolamides to the corresponding 3‐[5H‐dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones through the diarylation of an alkyne.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Umpolung Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition of Enals with Isatogens: Access to Fused Indolin‐3‐ones with a Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenter

A novel synthetic method to access fused indolin‐3‐ones with a tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter has been developed via NHC‐catalyzed umpolung formal [3+3] cycloaddtion of enals with isatogens. This methodology could be also applied for the quick construction of the 6‐5‐5 tricyclic pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indole skeleton which is frequently found as a core structure of many indole alkaloids.

     

N‐Iodosuccinimide‐Promoted Rapid Access to Indeno[1,2‐c]pyrroles via [3+2] Annulation of Enamine‐alkynes

We have developed a metal‐free, N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS)‐promoted, cascade strategy for the efficient synthesis of biologically important indeno[1,2‐c]pyrroles via a [3+2] annulation process of enamine‐alkynes. This methodology had shown a very broad scope for diversely functionalized enamines and alkynes. We have also developed a one‐pot, multicomponent strategy for the direct synthesis of indeno‐pyrroles from diynones via enamine‐alkynes. Control experiments supported the involvement of NIS as an electrophilic activator via an ionic mechanism rather than a radical pathway.

     

New Palladium‐Catalyzed Domino Reaction with Intramolecular Ring Closure of an N‐(2‐Chloro‐3‐heteroaryl)arylamide: First Synthesis of Oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazines

The synthesis of novel planar heterocycles is at the heart of basic research as such scaffolds constitute key building blocks in important diverse areas of research: drug discovery, material sciences, and pesticides. The well‐known benzoxazole is often contained in drug candidates but tweaking its lipophilicity and target interaction points are often desired. In this respect, the oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazine is an attractive heterocyclic scaffold as it possesses increased water solubility as well as two additional hydrogen bonding acceptors. We here report a new Pd(II)‐catalyzed domino reaction comprising the first Pd(II)‐assisted intramolecular cyclization of an N‐(2‐chloro‐3‐heteroaryl)arylamide and validate its value by application to the first synthesis of 2‐substituted oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazines. We demonstrate that a bidentate phosphorus ligand as well as the presence of an aromatic nitrogen atom is required for the domino reaction to proceed. The robustness of the methodology is confirmed by the synthesis of 23 2‐substituted oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazine analogues in good‐to‐high yields and containing both electron‐withdrawing as well as electron‐donating substituents on the reacting arylamide.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of 2‐(1‐Alkynyl)benzenamines with Disulfides: Synthesis of 3‐Sulfenylindoles

3‐Sulfenylindoles can be efficiently prepared in moderate to good yields from 2‐(1‐alkynyl)benzenamines and disulfides using the palladium/air catalytic systems. The study also provides a useful route to the synthesis of fipronil analogues.     

Metal‐Free [2+2+1] Annulation of Alkynes,Nitriles and Nitrogen Atoms from Iminoiodanes for Synthesis of Highly Substituted Imidazoles

Boron trifluoride nitrile complexes promote oxidative [2+2+1] annulations of alkynes, nitriles and N‐atoms from iminoiodanes to give the corresponding 2,4‐disubstituted and 2,4,5‐trisubstituted N‐tosylimidazoles in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivities.